The monastic site was founded in the 6th century by St Molaise. It was raided by Vikings in 837 and burned in 1157, but in the middle ages flourished as the site of the parish church and St Mary’s Augustinian Priory.

The site is particularly special as the ruins on the island are from many different periods of history. It is probably best known for it’s perfect 12th-century round tower, one of the finest in Ireland, and ruined Augustinian abbey complete with intricately carved 15th-century high cross in graveyard.

The round tower is approx. 30m high, and can be climbed using a series of internal ladders

Commercial boat tours on Lower Lough Erne taking in Devenish operate from the Round O in Enniskillen (MV Kestrel) and from The Manor House Hotel, Killadeas (Lady of the Lake)

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We flew our drone over Downpatrick town and captured a couple of aerial 360° photographs. Look out for the marker points in the aerial virtual tours, some of which will allow you to jump from the sky down into some of the various visitor attractions found in the town.